Extract

Mike Judge, the writer/director of the cult classic Office Space has created another highly entertaining workplace comedy in Extract. Jason Bateman stars as Joel, the owner of a food flavoring factory who has the unenviable task of dealing with some of the most unmotivated and dullest workers imaginable. If they're truly representative of the American labor force then it's no wonder that this country produces very little anymore. To add to his troubles, his best worker lost one of his testicles in an industrial accident, and as a result has a big lawsuit looming over his head. His home life is not much better. His wife Suzie ( a perfect Kristen Wiig) is bored and has seemingly no interest in having sex with him, and he's constantly being annoyed by his clinging neighbor (David Koechner). He wants to have an an affair, but in order to assuage his guilt he arranges for a gigolo to approach Suzie: if she takes the bait he'll make his move on Cindy (Mila Kunis), a hot temp at the factory, who also steals and cons whenever she gets the chance.
Although not quite as outright hilarious as Office Space, this film is quite funny. Jason Bateman has made a nice career for himself playing "dry", and in Extract, he's in excellent form as the put upon good guy. Ben Affleck also does well in a supporting role as Joel's best friend Dean, a stoner and ad hoc pimp. Dustin Milligan is hysterical as Brad the gigolo, and he's as thick as he is handsome, and almost steals the film. In spite of all the cynicism on display, the film still has an optimism about it that belies the actions of the individual characters: yes, this is a feel-good film in spite of itself.

Rating - 3 Stars